4 ways to learn with Caterpillars

 

Miss M has been learning about caterpillars and butterflies at her 3yo Kindy.

Her interest in this topic has been a big part of our day to day life at home so I thought I would take some time to share some of the things we have been up to.

 

Here are some of the ways we've used caterpillars to support learning through play!

Following the numbers on the above picture!

 

 

1. Tissue Paper Hungry Caterpillars

Learning Areas/ Opportunities:

Creative, Language

 

 

This book was a big part of the learning done at Kindy and was often reread at home.

We made pictures of the Very Hungry Caterpillar using tissue paper. The finished product is very effective.

To extend on this draw or glue on tissue paper food that the Hungry Caterpillar indulged in during the story.

We also used a soft toy Hungry Caterpillar to retell and role play the story.

 

 

2. Recycled Egg Carton Caterpillars

Learning Areas/ Opportunities:

Creative, Language, colours

Getting Creative
 

This was excellent little activity that was open ended enough to totally engage both ages of my children. Paint, collage or do both to create unique and individual caterpillar friends. Both children had a ball decorating their caterpillars, talking about the colours they were using and what their caterpillars name could be.

After they were decorated we used our new caterpillar friends to sing songs and finger rhymes. Such as,

• How does a caterpillar go? Dear me does anybody know? How does a caterpillar go on a juicy leaf the whole day through?
• Roly Poly Caterpillar into a corner crept. Spun a blanket around himself and for a long time slept. Roly Poly Caterpillar wakened by and by. Found himself with beautiful wings, changed into a butterfly.

 

3. Caterpillar Puzzles

Learning Areas/ Opportunities:

Maths, Spelling

 

I made this caterpillar using laminated green card. Each segment of the body is separate and has a space for writing letters or numbers for children to put in order, like a puzzle.

 

To start with I used Miss M's name then moved onto other familiar words. Older children could do this with spelling or sight words.

You could bring in numeracy by using numbers and getting children to create number lines with the caterpillars body.

 

Here's a number caterpillar Miss M made with limited assistance. Use numbers to suit the ability of your child. If your child is younger you could still do this focusing on colours.

 

4. Caterpillar healthy fruit snack

Learning Areas/ Opportunities:

Healthy Eating, social and emotional

What's more fun and inviting than creating yummy snacks.
Children can help prepare this delicious apple and pear caterpillar and then enjoy eating it! Use this opportunity to reinforce healthy choices and why fruit is good for our bodies! Encourage children to work together and share their healthy snack.


Enjoy

Play and Learn

Katey
 

 

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